Myths and Truth about Breast Cancer

Many get confuse between certain facts about Breast Cancer. 

Get a clearer idea and start preventing cancer!

Here are some Myths and Truth about Breast Cancer.

Myth 1

• Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only.

Truth

It is estimated that approximately 2,190 men each year would be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 would die from it. While this percentage is still small, men should also check themselves periodically by doing a breast self-exam while in the shower and reporting any changes to their physicians. 

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola.  Many men has less awareness on this issue and are less likely to assume that a lump is breast cancer, which cause a delay in seeking treatment. 

Myth 2

• Breast cancer is contagious.

Truth

You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else's body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth of mutated cells that begin to spread into other tissues within the breast. However, you can reduce your risk by practicing a healthy lifestyle, being aware of the risk factors, and following an early detection plan so that you will be diagnosed early if breast cancer were to occur.

Myth 3

• Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

TRUTH

Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer.  But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam. He or she may possibly order breast imaging studies to determine if this lump is of concern or not. 

Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, getting an annual clinical breast exam, and scheduling your routine screening  mammograms.

Myth 4

• A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

TRUTH

A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast, currently remains the gold standard for the early detection of

breast cancer. Breast compression while getting a mammogram cannot cause cancer to spread. According to the National Cancer Institute, “The benefits of mammography, however, nearly always outweigh the potential harm from the radiation exposure. Mammograms require very small doses of radiation. The risk of harm from this radiation exposure is extremely low.”

The standard recommendation is an annual mammographic screening for women beginning at age 40. Base your decision on your physician's recommendation and be sure to discuss any remaining questions or concerns you may have with your physician.

Tips to prevent Breast Cancer:

• Exercise boosts the immune system and helps you to keep your weight in check. With as little as three hours of exercise per week, or about 30 minutes a day, a woman can begin to lower her risk of breast cancer. This doesn’t require going to a gym either. Power walking is more than sufficient!

• A nutritious, low-fat diet (30 grams or less) with plenty of fruits and green and orange vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. A high-fat diet increases the risk because fat triggers estrogen production that can fuel tumor growth.

Credit to: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org

7 Causes of Breast Cancer

Being a woman, I also have certain fear and doubts about the most atrocious women "killer", Breast Cancer.

Even though i myself does not have any family members or friends who diagnose breast cancer, i am still curious what are the cause of breast cancer. As a woman, i feel that i should be prepared and prevent this from happening. 

Hope that after reading this, you have some ideas how this breast cancer come about and be mindful of your health. 

Below is the research I found on the causes of Breast Cancer.

1. Age

The risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. About 1 out of 8 invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45, while about 2 of 3 invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older.

2. Family Inheritance  

Less than 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member with this disease. This means that most (over 85%) women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of this disease.

Despite that, breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease.

Having one first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer approximately doubles the chance of getting the cancer. Having 2 first-degree relatives increases her risk about 3-fold.

3. Personal History

If one is previously diagnosed with breast cancer, it is very likely that he/she will be diagnosed with breast cancer again.

4. Menstrual periods

Women who have had more menstrual cycles because they started menstruating early (before age 12) and/or went through menopause later (after age 55) have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. The increase in risk may be due to a longer lifetime exposure to the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

5. Drinking Alcohol

The risk of getting breast cancer increases according to the amount of alcohol you drink. Alcohol naturally is a harmful drink and should not be consumed in huge amount. 

Too much alcohol can also be harmful to the liver and other parts of the body.

6. Being Overweight or Obese 

Being overweight or obese, naturally is already an issue. 

Before menopause, production of estrogen is controlled by ovaries. After menopause, fat tissues will produce estrogen while the ovaries will stop working. With more fat tissues in the body, more estrogen will be produce, which lead to the increasing risk of breast cancer. 

7. Radiation

Exposure to radiation when the breast is still developing will increase the likelihood of breast cancer. Even when the breast is fully developed, exposure to radiation will cause mutation to the genes and hence, causes cancer.

After knowing the causes of breast cancer, the next best thing would be to prevent it! Things like radiation and alcohol, it is best to avoid. 

However, for things that we cannot control, like age and inheritance, we can't help it...

Take action, before it's too late.